Justin Welby's chaplain named new Bishop of Dorking

Downing Street has announced Revd Canon Jo Wells as the new Bishop of Dorking.

The Queen has given her approval to her nomination to replace Rt Revd Ian Brackley who resigned in September.

The Revd Canon Dr Jo Bailey Wells was educated at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and then at University of Minnesota, USA, she later trained for ordained ministry at St John's College in Durham.

Jo Wells said: "I am both honoured and humbled at the prospect of living and serving in the diocese of Guildford as the next Bishop of Dorking.

"I am excited to get to know the area and its people: to discover what God is up to and to share God's abundant blessings within and beyond the church.

"I've always found immense joy in nurturing disciples and teaching the faith. I shall look forward to opportunities for this around the diocese - particularly with young people through its many thriving schools and colleges - that each may discover the fulfilment and joy which Jesus offers to everyone. At the same time I expect to learn a lot - as well as laugh a lot - through this new opportunity for serving together."

Jo Wells was Chaplain of Clare College, Cambridge from 1995 to 1998 and Dean from 1998 to 2001, she's also served as a lecturer.

Congratulations Jo Wells, new Bishop of Dorking; will leave a huge gap; I pray for her and family, and celebrate for Guildford Diocese.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said: "During the three years Jo has been at Lambeth Palace her outstanding gifts as a pastor, scholar and strategist have been a huge blessing to me and to the wider Church.

"While serving as my Chaplain with tireless dedication and immense skill, she has, in the grace of God, taken forward my first ministry priority of the renewal of prayer and the religious life."

He concluded: "All at Lambeth Palace will miss Jo greatly, but we know that the Diocese of Guildford will be blessed richly by her ministry as a bishop."